New Zealand's Finest Covers Band

The New Brew is deep in the heart of Albany, it’s tucked away in a residential neighborhood in the center of a thriving street of restaurants bars and dairies. We love playing here because it’s always packed and fun to play!

This night was no exception. We love these nights when there’s a 21st birthday celebration (and there seems to be at least one here every week), they just have unbridled energy. Wild, man!

We played four great sets emphasising the music of British chanteuses Amy Winehouse and Adele. In between there was a speech given by the birthday boy and speeches given by his friends; we stopped playing so they could give it their full attention.

We rounded out the night with a celebratory beer – we scored a wonderful wedding gig on Waiheke for April next year for a client who found us at one of our other gigs. She loves our setlist, check it out – we’re available for weddings as well as corporate functions and private events, so don’t be afraid to contact us now to hire us for your event!

Click the “Book Us Now” link in the right sidebar to book us or to find out more.

We always love playing the Flying Moa and they are always good to us. Last weekend was no exception, it all started with the 2nd annual tshirts (we played last year’s Oktoberfest too and had a blast).

We actually played during the game this time so a big thanks to all the punters who enjoyed the rugby + music. Go All Blacks! And Go The Warriors (though they lost the big final game). We’ve had a great run so far for New Zealand rugby.

Now to get to the RWC grand final!

True to its name we met some German folks for Oktoberfest which was a real treat. We played 4 rocking sets of kiwiana and rock tunes and even got an invite to play a wedding on Waiheke next year – will update you on the details of that as it’s finalised.

Don’t want to jinx it.

So thanks to everyone who came out, see you at New Brew this Friday (tomorrow).

Gigs on rugby nights always start with an early set up and a really fun build up as we all wait for the game to start. Now that Rugby World Cup is well and truly underway the energy is palpable and just fun to be around!

All Blacks faced Japan and while it was never a close game Japan kept the All Blacks under 100 points, a feat in and of itself. Sonny Bill Managed to keep his jersey on, much to the chagrin of the female fans at the Moa.

The Flying Moa always treats us well with amazing food and great people. Many thanks again to my friend Mark who brought his friends down again and it wasn’t even a birthday this time around.

We had two tight sets and we played a ton of favourites, but some highlights were people dancing to I Will Survive and Rain and watching the New Zealand Warriors pull out a victory over the West Tigers by the length of an arm. What a game!

Friendly staff are always there to get you what you need, and I had the fish and chips and they actually are outstanding. Sure, anyone can fry some fish and a few potaters but the Moa manages to do it with a bit more flavour than you get at the average shop in the hood.

Come on down again in two weeks when we’ll be at the Moa for more fun!

The Rugby World Cup has well and truly started and the opening ceremonies on Friday night last week were EPIC. They truly lived up to the hype and then some.

Saturday, the night of the gig, saw us playing very close to the North Harbour stadium where France and Japan had a very exciting and evenly played game. Amazing to see Japan hold off the French attack for so long.

After the game was over we started playing (not a coincidence!) as many of the punters from the game came over to New Brew to have a few. The 21st birthday party going on also helped to make it a great night; people danced to our newer songs like Mr. Brightside and even the older ones like Sweet Home Alabama. Classic.

New Brew is always good to us and the atmosphere was busy but casual. We will be playing here at least once a month, highly recommended gig to attend.

SugarBang loves the Flying Moa, it’s our local stomping ground. We love playing here, it’s spacious, the staff are awesome, and the neighborhood, Ellerslie on the edge of St. Johns, is up and coming.

The night started slow but become good and solid with regulars and some new folks. Thanks to Mark for brining his 10 friends, it sounded like you guys were having an awesome birthday celebration!

The band ran through an adapted setlist with lots of new stuff, we’re playing songs like Mr. Brightside by the Killers and Valerie by Amy Winehouse. It’s our mission to keep changing things up so you can see us again and again without hearing the same songs.

So we set up early and their house PA system is immaculate; built in 18″ subs in the stage, and 4 mains speakers aimed at the stage and the dance floor. We had no worries about projecting we just had to bring our gear and our mixing desk.

And can you say “pro lighting rig”?! We can; those lights were fantastic and fully controllable by Hamish, our button pushing drummer.

All went really well and the crowd peaked around 11pm when we played 500 Miles; that song always gets the punters into it! That dance floor was filling up and we could not have been happier.

We got there super early to set up before the AB’s vs. Fiji, and while it was never a close contest the match was well played; a few Fijian tries making it interesting.

Afterward we got right into it, check out the setlist; we tried starting with a new song this time, and what could be more iconic than Summer of ’69? But before the setlist, let’s give a warm welcome to our new awesome singer Juliet Cross! She did a fantastic job and it’s 100% certain she’s a great addition to the band and uber talented.

Set 2:
Listen to the Music
I Love Rock and Roll
Sweet Home Alabama
Build Me Up Buttercup
Dreadlock Holiday
Just a Girl
Blister in the Sun
Rain
Dakota
Living on a Prayer
Honky Tonk
Johnny B. Goode (Thanks to one of the bar staff for sitting in on this one!)

We played the New Brew last weekend and had a great time, as always. There was a function in the function room with everyone dressed in black (how gauche!) and lots of people braving the cold on the outdoor patio.

It was our last gig with our singer Kim Sutton, so tears were shed, but we’re moving on with new singer Juliet Cross – we’re very happy to have her!

We’ll be posting band pics soon so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks again to the staff at New Brew for the bar tab and for keeping us feeling welcome everytime we play!

The band set up early at Carrington’s this past Saturday night and as soon as we got through the doors we knew this gig was going to be special: all brick building with high ceilings and a fireplace,with an amazing beer tap with 6 taps each. The open bar helped.

It was a 50th birthday party and after the speeches it was time for the band to go on (Well done to our guitarist Mike for playing solo for an hour beforehand!). We ran through three tight sets starting off with the requested “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” and moving into our usual rocking/danceable set of kiwiana and top 40.

The venue staff were awesome as well and our hosts couldn’t have been nicer (thanks for the champagne bottles as gifts at the end of the night!) and we highly recommend Carrington’s for any private function you might have in mind. The outdoor patio got some use even in the rain, we are looking forward to playing there in the summertime with all the doors and windows open.